News
Interested in finding out what's really hot at Vakkaru Maldives? This section is devoted to telling you all about numerous exciting things that're going on at our resort as well as what we're keen to draw up plans for.
17th September 2023
Vakkaru Maldives wrapped up a weekend full of holistic wellness activities to celebrate the World Wellness Weekend from 15-17 September 2023. The programmes were designed to promote wellness in a more accessible and enjoyable way for guests of all ages and fitness levels.
14 September 2023
Vakkaru Maldives is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sampath Widana Hewawala (Sam) as the resort's new Head Sommelier. Sam's appointment promises a new level of unparalleled wine experiences at Vakkaru, where he will oversee the award-winning Vakkaru Reserve wine cellar as well as orchestrate wine programmes across the resort's six restaurants and bars.
19 July 2023
The island nation and Vakkaru Maldives celebrate a significant tourism milestone as they welcomed Anton Pavlov and his family, the millionth visitor of 2023. Anton Pavlov, who arrived on Sunday, 16 July 2023, was accompanied by his wife and child and greeted with enthusiastic applause and celebrations at Velana International Airport, by the Minister of Tourism.
12 July 2023
Vakkaru Maldives is thrilled to announce that its wine cellar, Vakkaru Reserve, has once again been recognised by the esteemed Wine Spectator magazine with the Best of Award of Excellence for 2023. This honour marks the third time the island sanctuary’s cellar has earned this prestigious title.
07 July 2023
Vakkaru Maldives is delighted to announce the appointment of Miha Plesnik, a distinguished tennis player and coach from Slovenia as their new resident coach. The 31-year-old certified tennis coach is assigned by Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis to be at the timeless sanctuary until 28 February 2024.
24 June 2023
Vakkaru Maldives welcomes seasoned hospitality veteran Patrick Duff as the new Resort Manager. With an illustrious career spanning nearly four decades in 14 different countries, Patrick’s appointment marks a new chapter in the resort’s quest to deliver unparalleled service and experiences to its guests.
30 May 2023
As the calendar turns to May and extends through November, the crystal-clear waters of nearby Hanifaru Bay transform into a dazzling stage for the ethereal creatures, offering visitors the opportunity to witness their captivating dance.
27 February 2023
Embrace the tropical magic of the Maldives with “Five Days in Wonderland” Easter programme from 6-10 April 2023. Inspired by the renowned classic tales and in conjunction with the resort’s fifth anniversary, this five-day action-packed extravaganza promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience for guests of all ages as the island is transformed to a world of wonderland.
24 February 2023
Renowned wellness consultant and personal trainer Domingos Folgado returns to Vakkaru Maldives for another residency from 23 March to 18 April, with five new innovative and holistic treatments treatments in keeping with current wellness trends and guests’ demands.
13 February 2023
International Women’s Day on 8 March is a time to celebrate and empower women, and Vakkaru Maldives is marking the occasion in style. From yoga and Ayurvedic workshops to mixology classes and special dinners, the timeless sanctuary offers its lady guests an empowering and rejuvenating getaway.
18 January 2023
To celebrate the resort’s fifth anniversary and the Day of Love, Vakkaru Maldives has curated a dawn-to-dusk programme of its top five extraordinary experiences and five exceptional dining options to help you sweep your loved one of their feet.
05 January 2023
Vakkaru Maldives is excited to bring a slice of Tuscany to the island paradise with an ultra-exclusive wine dinner on 22 January 2023, in collaboration with the famed Banfi winery, one Michelin star Chef Domenico Francone, and Di-vine Cellars Maldives.
20 December 2022
Vakkaru Maldives celebrates a significant milestone this month as we mark five years of providing an unforgettable private island experience and creating memories of a lifetime for over 32,000 guests.
From 18 December 2022 to 14 January 2023
With well-being a priority in their guest offerings, Vakkaru Maldives has invited leading wellness consultant and qualified personal trainer Domingos Folgado for his third residency from 18 December 2022 to 14 January 2023.
01 December 2022
Top Italian professional tennis player Fabio Fognini arrived with his wife and three children for a long-awaited holiday at the award-winning Vakkaru Maldives from 30 November to 7 December. During his time on the private island, Fabio also offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience by hosting exclusive coaching / playing sessions for the guests.
21 November 2022
There’s always something exciting going on at Vakkaru Maldives. In time for the festive season, the timeless island sanctuary in the pristine Baa Atoll has further enhanced its guest experience by adding two new exciting offerings – Jungle Cinema and Anguru Teppanyaki restaurant.
14 November 2022
Multi-award-winning island sanctuary, Vakkaru Maldives, was recently named the World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort at the 29th World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year. The latest accolade only proves that the resort has all the right ingredients for a dreamy honeymoon, a destination wedding, or even a renewal of vows.
31 October 2022
Vakkaru Maldives achieved another milestone this month. The timeless sanctuary was invited to join the prestigious travel network, Serandipians, a global network of luxury travel designers and properties. The resort is officially part of its exclusive Private Residences Collection among a few selected hotel partners in the Maldives.
25 October 2022
Vakkaru Maldives brings the most anticipated sporting event in the world to its spectacular sandy shores with a special limited-time offer. Football fanatics can watch their favourite teams battle it out at the FIFA World Cup 2022, while enjoying luxurious accommodation, first-class facilities and curated guest experiences at the island paradise
25 October 2022
This Festive Season, the world is your oyster as the timeless sanctuary gears up to take you on a whirlwind adventure, “Around The World” from 23 December 2022 till 7 January 2023. Spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East and everywhere in between, the journey allows you to reconnect and celebrate with family and friends. Share unforgettable experiences together, from festive cocktails and gourmet cuisine to ocean adventures and the spectacular New Year countdown.
18 October 2022
Vakkaru Maldives added multiple award titles from the World Travel Awards 2022 to its growing list of accolades. For the third consecutive year, the luxury paradise island was crowned winner in the Indian Ocean category for Leading Resort and Leading Hotel Suite (Vakkaru Overwater Residence), and in the Maldives category for Leading Hotel Suite (Vakkaru Overwater Residence).
7 August 2022
Bollywood actor, model and entrepreneur Vatsal Sheth and his wife, actress and model Ishita Dutta Sheth, escaped to the award-winning Vakkaru Maldives for a long-awaited holiday after their busy schedules that also coincided with his birthday on 5 August.
6 August 2022
Timeless sanctuary Vakkaru Maldives is thrilled to announce the launch of the brand-new padel tennis court, and become the first one in Baa Atoll to bring the fastest growing racket sport in the world to complement the island’s offerings.
13 May 2022
In an extension of Vakkare, a new care concept launched during the pandemic, luxury island resort Vakkaru Maldives underlined its commitment to health and well-being by launching this month a new yoga pavilion on the island’s widest stretch of powder white sand beach.
03 May 2022
The award-winning Vakkaru Maldives teams up with pioneering ocean explorer and conservationist, Oliver Steeds, for a week-long immersive experience for all ages.
02 March 2022
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Maldives tourism. To mark the occasion, our Golden Easter-vaganza programme from 14 to 18 April 2022 pays tribute to the wonders of this fantastic island nation. Expect delectable seafood feasts, exceptional excursions and plenty of family-friendly activities designed for a joy-filled Easter holiday.
December 24, 2021
Vakkaru Maldives retained its title as the World’s Leading Luxury Honeymoon Resort at the 28th World Travel Awards 2021. It first won the accolade in 2020. The latest award is the fifth one it has won this year. The 28th annual awards follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Votes for the awards are cast by travel industry professionals and the public and the coveted World winners represent the absolute best in global travel.
10 December 2021
Vakkaru Maldives is set to welcome World No.1 men’s doubles tennis player Mate Pavic to the island from 9-17 December 2021. From 10 to 14 December, there will be one session per day for one lucky guest to have the rare opportunity to play an exclusive session with the top-ranked doubles player in the world during his stay on the island. Additionally, Mate Pavic will play one exhibition match against resident coach Aleksandr Stanic on 12 December 2021.
9 December 2021
Vakkaru Maldives will welcome top tennis professional to the island this festive season. In partnership with Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis, the new resident coach Jaroslaw Grela brings his extensive experience as a player and a sparring partner to the resort from 15 December 2021 to 15 March 2022.
23 November 2021
Vakkaru Maldives is delighted to have been named the No. 1 Favourite Family Hotel (International category) in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2021, an annual online poll that invites readers in the region to vote for their favourite travel experiences across 34 categories in the Middle East and internationally.
18 November 2021
Recently voted the Indian Ocean's 'Leading Resort' in this year's World Travel Awards, Vakkaru Maldives is excited to unveil a series of new experiences and upgraded facilities for 2022. From a state-of-the-art padel court to a range of immersive dining experiences, these new offerings are designed to further enhance the guest journey on the private island sanctuary, and will be rolled out in time for the upcoming festive season.
25 October 2021
Vakkaru Maldives ends another year on a high with multiple wins at the 28th World Travel Awards 2021. The private island sanctuary, which only opened doors in 2017, scooped three prestigious titles this year.
21 December 2021 – 7 January 2022
Vakkaru Maldives announces festive programme ahead of 2022 Golden Jubilee Year of Tourism in the Maldives With the year-end fast approaching, Vakkaru Maldives offers enough reason to be merry with the launch of the 'Glitter and Gold' Festive Season programme - a celebration with all things gold in a nod to the country's Golden Jubilee Year of Tourism in 2022. Running from 21 December 2021 until 7 January 2022, Vakkaru Maldives 'Glitter and Gold' themed programme is designed to reflect the rich heritage, culture and environment of the Indian Ocean, where all guests are invited to share the joy of the holidays with family and friends at Vakkaru in tropical style, with a dynamic series of lifestyle and wellbeing experiences.
01 to 31 August 2021
He’s coming back. Vakkaru Maldives and award-winning wellness practitioner Domingos Folgado take guests on a unique healing journey with his second special residency at the resort from 1st - 31st August 2021.
18 June 2021
In recognition of its incredible marine diversity and spectacular sea life, it was 10 years ago this month that Baa Atoll was named the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. To mark this significant anniversary, Vakkaru Maldives is inviting guests to explore the underwater wonders surrounding the resort on the first-ever Baa Atoll Big Five safari and to enjoy a range of special events and privileges as part of its 50 Shades of Blue celebration.
11 and 14 June 2021
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Baa Atoll as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with our Illustrator Masterclass featuring Uliana Kushkova
11 March 2021
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Baa Atoll being designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Vakkaru Maldives takes this opportunity to pay tribute to the wonders of the ocean with its ‘Tales of the Ocean’ Easter Celebration from 1 to 7 April 2021.
01 March 2021
From 15th March to 12th April, Vakkaru Maldives is proud to welcome Domingos Folgado to the resort for a special residency. A wellness consultant, therapist, acupuncture expert and qualified personal trainer who works with clients from his base in London, his residency at Vakkaru represents a rare opportunity for guests to enjoy the breadth of his knowledge surrounded by the restorative beauty of the Indian Ocean.
05 February 2021
This Valentine's Day, Vakkaru Maldives is tempting the guests to celebrate romance while immersing their body, mind and soul in the idyllic setting of Baa Atoll - arguably one of the most romantic destinations on the earth.
19 January 2021
With this new year representing a longed-for fresh start, Vakkaru Maldives is proud to welcome Dawn Harlow as the resort’s first visiting wellness practitioner of 2021. A spiritual guide, Kundalini yoga and meditation teacher, life coach and master in breathwork who will be in residence from 20 January to 28 February, she will lead a series of private and group sessions dedicated to providing guests with strength, clarity, calmness and purpose over the months to come.
11 January 2021
At Vakkaru Maldives, oenophiles will find there’s no better place to toast the start of 2021 than in Vakkaru Reserve. Fresh from winning a major accolade from the American magazine Wine Spectator, with a new head sommelier in place and showcasing a number of fresh new initiatives, the resort’s wine cellar will be a focal point for special wine and dine experiences throughout the year.
21 December 2020
As we reach the end of this seismic year, the adage that “health is wealth” has never rung more true. At Vakkaru Maldives, a new Ayurveda programme will provide guests with yet another way to boost their wellbeing as they enjoy the resort’s serene Baa Atoll setting.
19 November 2020
We have many reasons to celebrate at Vakkaru, as we are going to bid farewell to this unprecedented year with 50 Shades of Blue, a Festive celebration like no other. Inspired by the remarkable seascape of Baa Atoll that in 2021 celebrates its 10-year anniversary as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, our Festive programme combines our dedication to wellness with a spectacular New Year’s Eve Gala that is guaranteed to raise spirits as we all look forward with hope and anticipation to a fresh new start.
10 November 2020
Vakkaru Maldives has a quartet of very good reasons to celebrate over the coming festive season and beyond: launched in 2017, the private-island retreat has just been crowned a winner four times over at the 27th Annual World Travel Awards. Immensely proud to receive such recognition just three years after opening, the independently run resort has been named Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort 2020 and The World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort. Additionally, its immense signature four-bedroom overwater villa The Residence has been named both Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite 2020 and Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite 2020.
28 October 2020
In recognition of the resort’s new hospitality concept Vakkare, which places the concept of physical, mental and emotional care at the core of all that Vakkaru provides, Vakkaru Maldives is delighted to be partnering with Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis. Founded by former World No. 8 tennis player Janko Tipsarevic, Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis will bring some of the world’s most accomplished tennis professionals for short-term residences as well as Serbian Tennis Pro, Barbara Bonic, who will be the resort’s Resident Tennis Coach.
July 21, 2020
Proud to represent one of the world’s foremost luxury resorts, the team at Vakkaru Maldives have always done everything in their power to ensure guests enjoy a holiday experience to treasure forever.
6 - 16 April 2020
This Easter, an amazing line-up of endlessly fun activities abound every day for the whole family in our timeless sanctuary. Hop into spring with an island getaway full of time-honoured Easter traditions, from delectable feasts, plenty of treats and fun games for the little ones and special programmes taking place every day.
20 December 2019 - 20 January 2020
Make the most of your island getaway this Festive season as Vakkaru Maldives collaborates with Lux Tennis, a Tennis Management Company providing professional Tennis Coaches to luxury resorts worldwide. From 20 December 2019 to 20 January 2020, the resort welcomes a guest tennis pro, Erika Zanchetta, who will bring her expertise and flair for the game to the Sports Fields.
December 21, 2019 - January 06, 2019
Embark on a timeless journey as soon as you step onto our idyllic island paradise. Leave the time behind, disconnect from reality and reconnect to each other while discovering what our resort to offer to create enriched memories during the festive season. Our team has prepared lot of exciting programs to look forward to throughout the festive season, with an array of indulgent culinary experiences, lively entertainment, exciting recreational and rejuvenating wellness activities for all to enjoy
January 05, 2020- January 06, 2020
This festive season, Vakkaru Maldives welcomes internationally-renowned fashion illustrator and author, Megan Hess for the exclusive launch of her third book in The Claris Collection, Claris: Bonjour Riviera on 5 and 6 January 2020.
July Mid, 2019
Vakkaru Maldives together with the certified Master Chef and SPICEHUNTER®and International High-End Gastronomy Expert of KOPPERT CRESS, Chef Marcel Thiele, concluded a Sustainable Gastronomical Culinary Journey with a series of exclusive dining experiences and cooking classes held on the island in mid-July
August 9-13, 2019
Vakkaru Maldives together with world-renowned fitness expert, Yasmin Karachiwala, concluded her first ever retreat in the Maldives. Her “Hack Your 21st Century Digitized Body” was held from 9 to 13 August 2019, delivering a high-octane bespoke programme to guests at the luxury resort.
October 22, 2019
Vakkaru Maldives will be opening its shores to Alistair Birt, Head Pastry Chef of Harrods London this 22 – 25 October 2019 for an extraordinary experience with chocolate. Guests on island will be in for a treat as they embark on a journey to discover this ancient food of the gods with Alistair through a series of experiences curated exclusively for Vakkaru Maldives.